Folding apparatus for transverse folding and transporting of two types of printed substrates

Abstract

To provide, selectively, different outputs from a cutting and folding apparatus (FIGS. 3, 4, 5), first and second cutting and folding groups (11, 12, 13; 608, 609, 610, 611; 14, 15, 13; 621, 622, 623) provide, respectively, first and second types of printed substrates (A1, A2), for example forming advertising material for men's wear and ladies' wear, for subsequent insertion into a newspaper, the respective first and second cutting and folding apparatus delivering the printed substrates which may have undergone one longitudinal fold, and have been transversely folded by the cutting and folding apparatus to transport belts, which, further and selectively, either transport the two different types of cut and folded substrates to separate receiving stations (21, 22) which may form further longitudinal folds therein, or, in dependence on a setting of a switch (16, 16'; 26, 611), supply the two types of printed subject matter to one further receiving station (22; 614) and associate the two types of substrates (A1, A2) by an alignment apparatus providing different path lengths for the respective substrates, so that the leading edges thereof are in alignment and match, for ready and automatic insertion into a newspaper.

We claim: 
     
       1. Folding apparatus for cutting and for transverse folding of two types of printed substrates (A1, A2) and selectively handling the respective types of cut, folded, printed substrates of the different types to feed them in selected modes of operation separately, in a mode (a) to separate receiving stations (21, 22; 615, 614), or   in mode (b), to a common receiving station 921, 615 or 22, 614) comprising   means (2, 3; 602, 618, 626) for providing two types of continuous printed webs (1a, 1b; 603b);   first cutting and folding means (11, 12, 13; 608, 609, 610, 611) located to receive a first type (1a) of printed web, cutting the web and folding the cut web transversely to form a first transversely folded, cut, printed substrate (A1);   second cutting and folding means (14, 15, 13; 14, 7', 13; 621, 622, 623) located to receive a second type (1b) of printed web, cutting the web and folding the cut web transversely to form a second transversely folded, cut, printed substrate (A2);   said first and said second cutting and folding means being arranged to supply the printed substrates in pairs with the respective first and second substrates (A1, A2) spaced from each other with respect to the direction of movement of the substrates;   a first transport system (17, 19, 612) positioned to receive printed substrates (A1) from the first cutting and folding means;   a second transport system (17, 18, 18', 612) positioned to receive printed substrates (A2) from said second cutting and folding means;   selectively operable substrate transfer means (16, 16', 26, 611) transferring in accordance with   selected mode (a), substrates individually to the first and second transport systems, or   selected mode (b), collectively to one (19) of said transport systems;   and alignment means (50, 52; 650) operative for aligning collected substrates upon selected operation of the transfer means in accordance with selected mode (b) for receiving the cut substrates (A1, A2) from the first and second cutting and folding means and controlling the relative movement of the cut and folded substrates of the two types (A1, A2) for delivery by the transport means to the receiving station (22, 614) with the folded edges thereof superimposed and in alignment.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second receiving station comprises a further folding station 921, 21a; 22, 22a'; 614, 614a, 614b, 614c). 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprise a collection unit (50, 52; 650) defining a first path for one of the printed substrates and a second path for the other of the printed substrates; and the transfer means selectively direct the substrates of one type into one path and the substrates of the other type into the other path, the path lengths of said first and second paths being different and matched to the operating speed of the apparatus and the length of the substrates to place a substrate of one type (A1) over a substrate of the other type (A2) with the folding edges in alignment.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein (FIG. 2) the collection unit comprises a rotating cylinder (25) having grippers (25') thereon to carry one type (A1) of the folded printed substrates about the cylinder, and release the substrate (A1) on the cylinder above a substrate of the other type (A2) being supplied by the transport system, with the edges of the substrates (A1, A2) in alignment. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transport means supply the substrates of the first and second type (A1, A2) to the cylinder with the grippers (25) in partially overlapping or imbricated position. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the alignment means comprises a rotating cylinder (25) having deflection flaps (25') thereon, and a transport belt (27) partially looped about the cylinder for transporting printed substrates of a selected type about said cylinder. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein (FIG. 1) the collection unit comprises a belt transport system (20, 29; 23, 28) forming two transport paths of different lengths; and transfer means (16, 16') selectively direct the printed substrate of the different types into different paths, the path lengths being so matched to the spacing of the respective types of substrates (A1, A2) on said transport systems (17, 17') that, after the substrates of the different types have passed through the respective paths, the substrates will arrive at an exit from the collection unit with the edges thereof superimposed and in alignment.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transport means supply the substrates of the first and second type (A1, A2) to the belt transport system in partially overlapping or imbricated position. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the web is supplied to a folding former (2), a cutter (3, 618) is provided for longitudinally cutting the web into two web sections (1a, 1b); said apparatus further including a folding blade cylinder (14) including gripping points or needles (14'), and a cutting cylinder (15) associated therewith, one web section (1a) being supplied to said folding blade cylinder and cutting cylinder;   a further folding blade cylinder (12) having gripping points or needles (12') thereon and an associated cutting blade cylinder (11) is provided, said further folding blade cylinder (12) and cutting cylinder (11) receiving a second cut web section or portion (1b), and a single folding flap cylinder (13) is provided receiving the cut and folded substrates of different types (A1, A2) derived from the separate web portions or sections (1a, 1b), said folding flap cylinder delivering the folded substrates of both said types (A1, A2) to said transport means (17, 17'),   said folding blade cylinders and cutting cylinders and said folding flap cylinder forming, respectively, said first and second cutting and folding means, said folding flap cylinder being common to both said first and second cutting and folding means.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said common folding flap cylinder (13) supplies the folded substrates of said first and second type (A1, A2) in overlapping form and in pairs to said transport means (17, 17'). 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein (FIG. 2) the cutting blade cylinder associated with the folding blade cylinder (14) comprises a perforating and cutting cylinder of a perforating cylinder pair (6, 7'); and movable between engagement with a perforating counter cylinder (6) or said folding blade cylinder (14). 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two alignment means are provided, one each located in the path to a respective receiving station; and wherein said receiving stations comprise further folding means.   
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein (FIG. 6) said transport systems comprise at least two transport belt sections (612, 613; 624, 625) receiving the cut, printed substrates of the respective types (A1, A2) from said first cutting and folding means and said second cutting and folding means, respectively, said transport belt sections having respective path lengths to form said alignment means (650) to deliver the cut and folded substrates of said two types with the folded edges thereof superimposed and in alignment when the transfer means is operated in mode (b). 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first cutting and folding means (608, 609, 610, 611) forms a first folding and cutting subassbely, for folding a substrate of a first type; said second cutting and folding means forms a second cutting and folding subassbemly (621, 622, 623), for folding a substrate of the second type; said transport system comprises two transport belt systems (612, 613; 624, 625) located to remove the respective substrates from said first and second cutting and folding subassemblies, respectively, for supply thereof, with the edges in alignment, to the receiving station;     and a folding former (2) is provided receiving a web and cutting said web, upon folding, into two web sections (601a, 601b) one web section being supplied to one cutting and folding subassembly and the other web section being supplied to the other cutting and folding subassembly.   
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first folding subassembly comprises a folding blade cylinder (611) having grippers (611') selectively permitting forming of a further transverse fold in the folded substrate (A1) being supplied thereto, or supplying said printed substrate to the respective transport system (612, 616, 617). 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein (FIG. 6) two folding formers (2, 626) are provided, each supplying a folded web of a respective type (603a, 603b) to the respective first cutting and folding means (608, 609, 610, 611) and the second cutting and folding means (621, 622, 623). 
     
     
       17. Folding apparatus for cutting and for transverse folding of two types of printed substrates (A1, A2) and selectively handling the repective types of cut, folded, printed substrates of the different types to feed them selectively to two individual receiving statios (21, 22; 615, 614), comprising means (2, 3; 602, 626) for providing two types of continuous printed webs (1a, 1b; 603b);   first cutting and folding means (11, 12, 13; 608, 609, 610, 611) located to receive a first type (1a) of printed web, cutting the web and folding the cut web transversely to form a first transversely folded, cut, printed substrate (A1);   second cutting and folding means (14, 15, 13; 14, 7', 13; 621, 622, 623) located to receive a second type (1b) of printed web, cutting the web and folding the cut web transversely to form a second transversely folded, cut, printed substrate (A2);   transport means (17, 611, 612) for removing the cut, printed substrates (A1, A2) from the respective first and second cutting and folding means,   said first and said second cutting and folding means being arranged to supply the printed substrates to the transport means in pairs with the respective first and second substrates (A1, A2) spaced from each other with respect to the direction of movement of the transport system;   a first transport system (17, 19, 612) positioned to deliver printed substrates (A1) to the one (21, 615) of the receiving stations;   a second transport system (18, 612) positioned to deliver printed substrates (A2) to the other (22, 614) receiving station; and   selectively operable substrate transfer means (16, 16', 26, 611) positioned for transferring selected substrates from said transport means individually and selectively to the first and second transport systems for further transport of the selected substrates to the respective receiving stations.   
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the transfer means selectively direct the printed substrates of the different types (A1, A2) into different paths, the path lengths being so matched to the spacing of the respective types of substrates on said transport systems that, after the substrates of the different types have passed through the respective paths, the substrates will arrive at an exit from the transport systems with the edges thereof superimposed and in alignment. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first folding subassembly comprises a folding blade cylinder (611) having gripper (611') selectively permitting forming of a further transverse fold in the folded substrate (A1) being supplied thereto, or supplying said printed substrate to the transport means (612, 616, 617). 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first and second receiving station comprises a further folding station.